Description: A small species of Epiplatys with a rounded, ovate to spade-shaped, sub-lanceolate, caudal fin (Ref. 123813). Body compressed, much deeper than wide, sharply decreasing in depth at the caudal peduncle; ventral profile convex from head to end of anal fin base; caudal peduncle with concave dorsal and ventral profiles (Ref. 123813). Head large, about 30% of standard length, and flattened dorsally; snout pointed, jaws prognathous, mouth directed upwards; distal half of the maxillae free and mobile; dentary and premaxilla with many small recurved unicuspid teeth, outer row slightly larger than teeth of inner row (Ref. 123813). Frontal or nasal neuromasts in a single groove; anterior supraorbital row open and nearly contiguous with nasal row, in some specimens separated only by a narrow low ridge; posterior supraorbital row open, separated from anterior supraorbital row; postorbital row closed with two pores, preorbital system includes short closed canal with two pores opening ventrally into a short open canal above the maxilla; closed preopercular canal with five pores (Ref. 123813). Scales cycloid, entirely scaled except on ventral surface of head; frontal squamation with the G-scale overlapping the posterior E-scales; most specimens with two F-scales between anterior and posterior supraorbital canals with anterior F-scale overlapping the posterior scale, some specimens observed with a single large F-scale on right side; mid-longitudinal series 24-29 to hypural plate, with 1 or 2 more scales on caudal fin (Ref. 123813). Pectoral fins insert well below midline with 15-17 rays; dorsal fin inserts posterior to anal fin insertion, typically above the 7th to 10th anal fin ray; dorsal fin rounded with 8-11 fin rays; anal fin parallelogram-shaped with pointed apex in males, less pointed in females, with 14-17 rays; dorsal and anal fin rays not extensively produced in males; caudal fin with 11-15 rays, no extensions of caudal fin rays (Ref. 123813).

Colouration: In life, this species is characterized by yellow or orange fins with red spots; it also has rows of red spots on the trunk and faint chevrons along the posterior half of the body (Ref. 123813). Live colouration of females: greenish yellow background colour body and head, including chin; lips faintly dusky; gular region, cheeks and abdomen white; irregular rows of large red spots on flanks from above pectoral fins to caudal fin base; body scales with light red margins laterally, dusky margins dorsally; faint and variably complete dark subcutaneous, rearward-pointing chevrons on posterior half of trunk; fins light yellow; dorsal fin with several rows of red spots; anal fin distally yellow, clear towards base with red spots; caudal fin yellow with red spots in dorsal half concentrated near base of fin, forming small light red dashes away from base (Ref. 123813). Live colouration of males: reddish orange background colour on trunk, greenish yellow predorsum; head with bluish tint laterally above opercle, preopercle and pectoral fins, and on preopercle and opercle; cheeks beneath eyes whitish with small black speckles; chin and upper and lower jaws dusky; gular region and breast white to vertical through pectoral fins; orange from there to pelvic fins; trunk with rows of red spots; dark subcutaneous chevrons on posterior half of trunk apparent in juveniles and stressed adults; pectoral fins clear, pelvic fins yellow-orange; anal fin with red-reddish orange margin, remainder of fin may appear reddish orange or may show yellow submargin, fainter red and yellow colour towards base; in one male tips of anal fin rays were clear with thin red submargin, remainder of fin raysorange with yellow interradial highlights; dorsal fin orange with dark red margin and large red spots; caudal fin reddish orange with red interradial spots and yellow fin rays, lower margin dark red, thin dark red upper margin; lower distal margin clear with red submargin, thinner red submargin on upper edge in some (Ref. 123813). Colour in alcohol of females: scales on dorsum and flanks with broad brownish margins and light centers, forming five dark longitudinal lines on sides; vertical rearward pointed chevrons on flanks variably expressed from mid-anal fin to caudal fin base; snout and chin dark; cheeks beneath eyes, gular region and abdomen light; small spots on dorsal and anal fins, upper caudal fin near base (Ref. 123813). Colour in alcohol of males: similar in pigment to females, but chin not as dusky, may be light; centers of scales on dorsum and flanks darker, striping pattern on flanks muted as a result; dark margin on anal fin, and on dorsal and ventral edges of caudal fin (Ref. 123813).